What are the common invasive species livng in the old growth coastal redwood forest?

yeukelduck

homo sapiens perhaps? Apr 09 06, 4:20 AM

Flynn_17

Rats possibly? Maybe Kudzu? Apr 09 06, 4:20 PM

robboy

Everywhere I've been where there have been conifers, I have seen or heard of problems with bark beetles. As pest and disease resistant as the Redwood is, it's also susceptible to the little critters. "Bark beetles, family Scolytidae, are common pests of conifers and some attack broadleaf trees. Several hundred species occur in the United States. The most common species infesting pines in California are the western pine beetle (Dendroctonus brevicomis), engraver beetles (Ips spp.), and the red turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus valens). Cedar and cypress bark beetles (Phloeosinus spp.) attack arborvitae, Chamaecyparis, cypress, and redwoods..." http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7421.html Apr 09 06, 6:45 PM

crisw

A few of many plant species: Butterfly bush English ivy Spotted knapweed Scotch broom "Currently, there are more than 200 species of exotic plants in the Redwood National and State Parks. More than thirty of these are invasive species. At least ten exotic plant species threaten the parks' native species and ecosystems. Exotic plant management is a necessary part of the responsibility to protect our natural heritage. Control of harmful exotic plants requires both a guiding plan and long-term, steadfast commitment. Short-term lapses allow invasive species to expand quickly and to negate previous control efforts. The threat of invasive exotic species will not disappear. The keys to successful control are a systematic approach and consistent follow-up." http://www.nps.gov/redw/exotics.htm As for animals, the most interesting is the barred owl, which can survice in logging-disrupted habitat and is displacing the spotted owl- http://www.calacademy.org/science_now/invasive_species/ Most bark beetles, BTW, are native. "Invasive" means non-native, not that they attack the tree. Apr 09 06, 8:16 PM